By Chinyere Ogbuagu/Ukpa Ewa
Women in Aguluezechukwu Community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have expressed their commitment to the Anambra, Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project (AN-NFWP-SU), describing it as a unique opportunity to improve their livelihoods, strengthen their businesses, promote financial inclusion and foster sustainable community development.
The women made the pledge during the Anambra, NFWP -SU community entry and sensitization programme held on July 17 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Podium, Aguluezechukwu.
Addressing the gathering, the Community Institution Builder (CIB) Anchor, Mrs. Chiamaka Agbili, explained that the project was designed to institutionalize Women Affinity Groups (WAGs) for underserved women in communities. She said the groups would promote a culture of weekly savings, financial discipline and mutual support, enabling members to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Agbili described the initiative as a key intervention of the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo and urged participants to take ownership of the programme.
She said that regular savings by members would attract Community Investment Fund from which they could access revolving loans for their businesses. Agbili advised members to maintain proper financial records, make their weekly savings consistently and uphold transparency and accountability, stressing that prudent management of the fund would guarantee its sustainability for both present and future beneficiaries.
Speaking on safeguarding measures, the project’s Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Advisor, Ms. Amaka Okoye, emphasised the programme’s zero-tolerance policy on deceit, bribery, corruption, discrimination and all forms of gender-based violence. She said the project operates on the “Do No Harm” principle and prohibits physical, sexual, emotional and other forms of abuse.
Okoye further advised participants to hold their meetings in safe and secure locations for at least one hour, reminding them that membership of WAGs was voluntary and based on self-selection. She encouraged members to uphold mutual respect, inclusiveness and prudence throughout the implementation of the programme.
Also speaking, the Livelihood Advisor, Dr. Ekene Adokwe, emphasised that the success of the project’s Livelihood Collectives would depend largely on the effective functioning of the Women Affinity Groups. He explained that only economically active women aged 18 years and above would qualify for the government-backed revolving loans designed to expand their businesses.
Adokwe noted that the programme seeks to equip women with financial management skills, enterprise development knowledge and sustainable livelihood opportunities rather than promote dependency.
Responding on behalf of the community, the President General of Aguluezechukwu, Nze JohnPaul Ezenwaka, commended the introduction of the programme and urged women to cultivate a strong savings culture by living within their means. He advised participants to avoid unnecessary spending and fraudulent daily contribution schemes, assuring them that the Women Affinity Groups would provide transparent, accountable and secure platform for savings and access to revolving loans.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Community Women Leader of Aguluezechukwu, Mrs. Onuigwe Blessing Ukamaka, described the programme as a welcome development capable of transforming the socio-economic well-being of women. She said the impressive turnout reflected the community’s readiness to embrace the initiative She also appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up Project team for bringing the initiative to the community.
The sensitisation exercise ended with an interactive question and answer session, after which prospective Ward Facilitators were screened and interviewed.
Chinyere Ogbuagu and Ukpa Ewa are of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation Anambra State
